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Children's Literature

  • Minor

The Children’s Literature Minor at Saint Vincent College is designed to explore the various forms of literature written for children and young adults. Students investigate literary shifts involving the ways adults imagine and shape children’s virtues and capabilities as well as how children live out or resist those expectations.

Analyzing texts written for children and about childhood, this minor provides the opportunity for both breadth and depth of study. English majors are ineligible for the minor but may concentrate in children’s literature.

Curriculum Requirements

  • Requirements for a Minor in Children's Literature

    Children’s Literature minors must choose four of the following courses, one of which must require a researched literary analysis: 

    • EL 128- Children's Literature: Fables to 1900
    • EL 129- Young Adult Fiction 
    • EL 130- Children's Literature: 1900 to Present 
    • EL 259- Critical Approaches to Children's Literature 
    • EL 272- Advanced Studies in Children's Literature 
    • EL 273- Representations of Childhood in Literature 
    • EL 274- Representations of Childhood in Film 
    • In addition, students complete six elective credits. 

    Students are encouraged to choose from the courses listed above and/or choose relevant courses in related disciplines by approval of the director, Dr. Sara Lindey (sara.lindey@stvincent.edu).

Program Highlights

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who minor in children’s literature have the opportunity to

  • critically analyze literary genres from children’s books to young adult fiction
  • explore the history of children’s literature and famous children’s authors
  • understand how childhood is depicted in children’s literature and film
  • learn best practices for writing children’s literature